Instrument Type: Violin
Year: 1962
Price: SOLD
Maker: Igino Sderci
The Violin
Igino Sderci made this violin, dated 1962, in his Florence workshop. It remains in excellent condition today. The instrument produces a rich, powerful sound that is both clear and responsive, reflecting Sderci’s mature craftsmanship late in his career.
The Maker
Igino Sderci was born in Florence, Italy in 1884 and devoted his entire life to violin making. From early childhood, he showed a strong interest in music and art. He studied sculpture in Siena and developed a natural gift for wood carving. Remarkably, he built his first violin without any formal supervision.
While in Siena, master maker Leandro Bisiach took notice of the young craftsman and recognized his talent. In 1917, Sderci moved to Milan to work directly in Bisiach’s workshop. There, he refined his skills over the course of roughly fourteen years before eventually leaving to establish his own workshop in Florence.
Throughout his career, Sderci closely studied the models of Stradivari and Guarneri, and their influence appears clearly in his work. As a result, his instruments carry strong character and reflect meticulous attention to detail. He consistently used wood of the highest quality, and he favored a fine varnish, most often in an amber yellow shade.
Sderci proved remarkably prolific over his long career, ultimately producing more than 700 instruments, including numerous large violas. His achievements earned significant recognition within the violin making world. In 1937, he won a gold medal at the prestigious Stradivari Exhibition in Cremona, held to mark the bicentenary of Antonio Stradivari’s death. He went on to win additional prizes in 1949, further cementing his reputation as one of the finest Italian makers of the twentieth century. Sderci continued working until his death in 1983, leaving behind a substantial and highly regarded body of work.
Terms of Sale
This violin has been sold and is no longer available for purchase. Benning Violins invites you to browse our current catalog of fine instruments or contact us directly to inquire about similar pieces.